State Public Pensions in Virginia

State Public Pensions in Virginia: key facts

Administering system

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) — its defined benefit plans (Plan 1, Plan 2, and the Hybrid Retirement Plan) cover state employees, teachers and school division employees, and general employees of participating political subdivisions. Customer Contact Center: 888-827-3847, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Death-in-service

If an active member dies, the death-in-service benefit is a lump-sum payment of the balance in the member contribution account, if any, to the named beneficiary. A beneficiary who is a spouse, minor child, or parent may elect monthly payments instead. Contact the member's employer first — the employer coordinates the claims.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the payout option the retiree elected. The Basic Benefit provides no continuing benefit to a survivor, though the named beneficiary may receive a lump sum of any funds left in the member contribution account. Under the Survivor Option, the retiree elected a whole percentage between 10% and 100% of the benefit to continue to the named survivor.

Reporting a retiree's death

Call Securian Financial at 800-441-2258. As insurer for the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, Securian can initiate all VRS benefit claims for a deceased retiree and passes the information to VRS for processing.

Documents to claim

The deceased's full name, Social Security number, and date of death, plus a mailing address for claim information, and an original or certified copy of the death certificate. If benefits are payable to the estate, an original or certified letter of qualification issued by the Circuit Court; if to a trust, the trust agreement and appointment of trustee; if to a minor child, the guardianship appointment for the child's estate.

No valid beneficiary named

Va. Code § 51.1-162 sets the order of precedence when there is no valid beneficiary designation on file or the beneficiary predeceased the member: first the spouse; second the children and descendants of deceased children, per stirpes; third the parents; fourth the duly appointed executor or administrator of the member's estate; fifth other next of kin under the law of the member's domicile at death.

Group life insurance proceeds

Under Va. Code § 51.1-511, VRS group life, accidental death, and dismemberment proceeds follow the beneficiary designation, and with no valid designation they follow the same order of precedence as § 51.1-162. A payment that would otherwise go to the employee's estate may instead be made under the Virginia Small Estate Act (Va. Code §§ 64.2-601, 64.2-602), so full qualification is not always required.

Governing law: Va. Code §§ 51.1-162, 51.1-511

Steps to take when someone dies

1. If the deceased was still employed, contact the member's employer — the employer coordinates claims for the benefits due.
2. If the deceased was retired, call Securian Financial at 800-441-2258, which can initiate all VRS benefit claims and forward the information to VRS.
3. Gather the deceased's full name, Social Security number, and date of death, plus an original or certified copy of the death certificate.
4. If the benefit is payable to the estate, obtain an original or certified letter of qualification from the Circuit Court; VRS also accepts trust documents or a guardianship appointment where the beneficiary is a trust or a minor child.
5. Call VRS at 888-827-3847 with questions about the retirement or survivor benefit itself; call 877-327-5261 for a VRS Defined Contribution Plan account.

Frequently asked questions